Berjaya Air starts Singapore – Redang flights

It’s been around eight years since it was possible to fly directly from Singapore to the Malaysian islands of Tioman and Redang, with Berjaya Air operating regular turboprop flights from Seletar Airport until 2010 and then for four more years from Changi Airport non-stop to these holiday spots.

Prior to the pandemic, the airline planned for a 2019 resumption of its flights from Singapore to Redang, switching back to Seletar Airport once its new passenger terminal had been completed, but this plan slipped and then COVID-19 came along.

Thanks to a relaxation of Malaysia’s international borders on 1st April 2022, it’s now possible for this link to finally be reinstated.

Seletar – Redang flights start next week

While Tioman is not rejoining the destination list, from Monday 25th April 2022 Berjaya Air will launch flights twice per week on the Singapore Seletar – Redang route, with services increasing to three times weekly by July 2022.

Here’s how the schedule looks between Singapore Seletar (XSP) and Redang (RDN).

25th April – 1st May 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	J8368 ATR 42
XSP 14:00		RDN 15:20
	J8369 ATR42
RDN 11:40		XSP 13:00

2nd May – 3rd June 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	J8368 ATR 42
XSP 14:00		RDN 15:20
	J8369 ATR42
RDN 11:40		XSP 13:00

4th July – 28th August 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	J8368 ATR 42
XSP 14:00		RDN 15:20
	J8369 ATR42
RDN 11:40		XSP 13:00

Flight time is 1 hour and 20 minutes in each direction on the airline’s ATR42-500 turboprop, which accommodates 36 passengers in a 2-2 configuration.

This will significantly simplify the journey for those wanting to visit Redang from Singapore, who currently have to fly from Changi to Kuala Terengganu via Kuala Lumpur, on two separate flights taking around 3 hours 45 minutes.

There’s then a 40-minute land transfer to the ferry terminal and a 45-minute boat trip to Redang to contend with, so it’s more than 5 hours in total from leaving Changi (in which time, you could be in Perth!).

That’s certainly enough to put most people off, so this new non-stop flight option from Seletar Airport makes a big difference for those wishing to visit Redang.

These new Seletar flights will supplement Berjaya’s twice-weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport to Redang, which has been operating since February 2020 and is set to increase to six times weekly operation by July 2022.

Process and COVID-19 testing

Fully vaccinated travellers heading from Singapore to Redang and back on this new service will need to:

• Download the MySejahtera app
• Complete a pre-departure form
• Verify their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate
• Have a negative pre-departure COVID-19 rapid antigen (ART) test taken no more than two days before their flight (e.g. for a flight on Tuesday, test can be taken on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday)

Children aged 17 or below are exempt from the vaccination requirement, while those aged six or below don’t need a pre-departure test.

On the way back to Singapore, the latest Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) process will apply:

• Have a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR or ART test taken no more than two days before their flight (e.g. for a flight on Friday, test can be taken on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday)
• Download and activate the TraceTogether app
• Complete the SG Arrival Card within three days of arrival in Singapore

Lounge access

These Berjaya Air flights from Seletar will not use the new passenger terminal at the airport. Instead all passengers (a maximum of 36 per flight) will benefit from use of the Seletar Business Aviation Centre.

This facility is usually for exclusive use of those departing on private jets, and offers a one-minute walk to the security and immigration checkpoint before directly boarding your waiting aircraft.

Prices

For the time being, Berjaya Air’s flights between Seletar and Redang are charter services in conjunction with The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, part of the Berjaya group.

That means you won’t be able to book a flight in isolation and make your own accommodation arrangements, but instead will have to opt for one of the packages offered.

These don’t come cheap, with a flight + room-only rate we found in early May coming in at MYR 11,875 (~S$3,800) for two adults, around S$800 per person extra to include the flights, compared to an accommodation-only rate.

Berjaya is also offering an “Enchanting Redang Escapade” package for the rest of 2022 from MYR 6,288 (S$2,096) per person, including:

• Return Berjaya Air flights from Seletar to Redang Island
• Access to the Seletar Business Aviation Centre
• 15kg check-in luggage allowance per person
• Express boarding
• Refreshment on board
• 4D3N accommodation at The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort
• Welcome evening cocktail and canapés
• Daily breakfast for two
• Daily lunch and dinner for two
• Turtle discovery snorkelling experience
• Kayak activity

With this offer you should only be on the hook for additional drinks and any extra activity charges during your stay, so it does seem to be a much better deal.

Bookings are available here.

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If you’re a fan of Redang, or you’ve always wanted to make a trip there but have been put off by the logistics of the journey, there’s now an easier way than ever to reach the island from Singapore with non-stop flights from Seletar Airport.

You’ll even get the rare opportunity to experience a usually off-limits lounge for private jet passengers at Seletar Airport, which should be a stylish way to start your holiday.

Unfortunately it’s not cheap, and is currently tied to package stays at a single resort, but if that’s the sort of thing you were expecting anyway on a Redang escape it may well be worth considering for something a bit different on your next overseas trip.

(Cover Photo: Berjaya Hotels & Resorts)